Words by Jessica Bumpus, Photography by Lowri Cooper, Styling (fashion) by Rebecca Bonavia, Styling (watches) by Joshua Hendren
“I very much knew TV as a longer thing,” says actress Sophie Skelton over Zoom from Glasgow, where she is a week out from wrapping on season seven, part two of ‘Outlander’, the time-travelling romance drama set in Scotland during the 18th century.
The show has now been running for a decade and has earned itself a cult following along the way (in ‘Outlander’ speak, when it’s not on, it is referred to as “droughtlander”). It’s a Thursday evening and Skelton is not long back from the 76th Emmy’s in LA. She thinks she was “the only person with my shoes off just dancing” on the dance floor, when there, and adds that the mood was good: joyful, celebratory and supportive. “It didn’t feel like too much of just the glitz and glamour,” she explains, even though she did look very elegant in a black backless gown and gold jewellery.
But now, she laughs, it’s “back to the mud and the grime.” These are just two elements which have likely contributed to the success of the BAFTA-winning show, which is based on the historical fantasy novels by Diana Gabaldon. Other factors contributing to its success include its sci-fi storyline and, according to most of the internet, the show’s steamy sex scenes.
Skelton, who auditioned for the role around 2013, plays Brianna, the daughter of Jamie and Claire Fraser (played by Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe respectively). But her character wasn’t introduced until the end of the second season. Because of this, she didn’t hear back for a while about her audition and at first, she didn’t think she had the part. She did realise, however, that the show was a “phenomenon”.
She did, however, get the part and soon found herself being transported to the 18th century where her character is among a select few who are able to travel through different periods in history. This is made possible, in part, through the power of gemstones. In one form or another they are typically present at the stones at Craigh na Dun, where such a quantum leap can be made. We see a ring, a watch and a handful of flashy rocks.
Makeup: Michelle Dacillo; Hair: Christos Kallaniotis; Movement director: Liam John Hill; Set design: Penelope Waterhouse; Production manager: Malcolm Mafara
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